Underemployment and psychological distress: Propensity score and fixed effects estimates from two large UK samples

The Effectivity of a School-Based Early Intervention Targeting Psychological Complaints and Non-Suicidal Self-Injury in Adolescents

Background: Recent research suggests a concerning trend of non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) and suicidal behaviors emerging at younger ages (as early as age 12). Early onset of NSSI is linked to more severe outcomes. While universal school-based prevention programs have shown promise in addressing suicidal behaviors, there is limited research on their effectiveness in preventing NSSI onset among adolescents. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of a universal prevention program in schools for NSSI and mental complaints while enhancing resilience and mental health in 11-14-year-old adolescents. Methods: In total, 329 Flemish secondary school students (55.6% female), aged 11 to 14 years, participated in a 4 h classroom universal prevention, with a focus on emotion regulation, mental health, and specific strategies to prevent NSSI and reduce stigma. For both the intervention and control group (N = 124), a pre-, post-, and one-month follow-up questionnaire was administered, containing reliable and valid measures for NSSI and suicidality, emotion regulation, help-seeking behaviors, well-being, and psychological distress. Results: The prevention program effectively reduced NSSI and psychological distress, particularly for adolescents with a history of NSSI. Conclusions: These findings support previous research on the effectiveness of school-based programs in reducing mental complaints and suggest promising outcomes for NSSI prevention.

Effect of long working hours on psychological distress among young workers in different types of occupation

BACKGROUND

We investigated how the association between long working hours and psychological distress varies across different employment and occupation types in young workers.

METHODS

Examining a nationally representative sample of 7246 Korean workers (3621 women) aged 15 to 40, we analyzed 23,492 observations spanning from 2016 to 2020. Psychological distress was measured using the Brief Encounter Psychosocial Instrument. We employed a generalized estimating equation to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

RESULTS

Of the total observations, 5.2% worked <35 h/week, 52.9% worked 35-40 h/week, 23.5% worked 41-48 h/week, 10.3% worked 49-54 h/week, and 8.2% worked ≥55 h/week. The OR (95% CI) of the association between long working hours and psychological distress was 1.38 (1.11-1.72) for <35 h/week, 1.47 (1.32-1.65) for 41-48 h/week, 1.74 (1.49-2.04) for 49-54 h/week, and 2.11 (1.75-2.55) for ≥55 h/week compared to 35-40 h/week. The OR (95% CI) of the association between working ≥55 h/week and psychological distress was significantly higher among wage workers (OR [95% CI]: 2.37 [1.94-2.89]) compared to self-employed workers (OR [95% CI]: 0.84 [0.52-1.36]). Additionally, the OR (95% CI) of the association between working ≥55 h/week and psychological distress was significantly higher among white-collar workers (OR [95% CI]: 3.24 [2.54-4.13]) compared to service/sales workers (OR [95% CI]: 1.22 [0.86-1.72]) or blue-collar workers (OR [95% CI]: 1.71 [1.10-2.67]). No clear gender differences were observed.

CONCLUSION

Psychological distress caused by long working hours can be pronounced among white-collar and wage workers.

Multidimensional typologies of precarious employment and their relationships with mental well-being in Korean wageworkers: A latent class analysis based on the Korean Working Conditions Survey (2020-2021)

BACKGROUND

Precarious employment (PE) has been conceptualized as having a multidimensional nature, and research addressing this topic in Asian countries is scarce. This study examined the typologies of PE and their relationships with mental health among Korean workers.

METHODS

From October 2020 to April 2021, the Korean Working Conditions Survey was conducted on Korean wageworkers (weighted N = 38,347), representative of the nation. With theory-based operationalization of PE, we identified typologies and classified workers through latent class analysis. Logistic regression was performed to explore the association between PE typologies and mental health among workers, represented as odds ratio (ORs) and confidence intervals (CIs).

RESULTS

Four distinct employment typologies emerged: (i) standard employment relationships (SER, 34.5%), (ii) moderate employment precariousness (MEP, 43.5%), (iii) underemployment (17.9%), and (iv) daily laborers (4.1%). Women were overrepresented in the MEP and underemployment types, while the SER type consisted of those with higher educational attainment and white-collar jobs. The OR (95% CI) of depression was 1.38 (1.27-1.50) for the MEP type, 1.48 (1.32-1.66) for the underemployment type, and 2.15 (1.85-2.51) for the daily laborers, compared to the SER type. For individual elements of PE, temporary employment, low wages, low-income predictability, and low involvement in work process were positively associated with depression, whereas part-time employment was negatively associated with depression.

CONCLUSION

Employment insecurity, low material rewards, and a lack of rights and protection can contribute to the poor mental health of workers. Policy interventions are warranted to mitigate inequalities in employment quality among Korean workers.

Short working hours and perceived stress: Findings from a population-based nationwide study

Background

Evidence on the potential negative health effects of short working hours remains limited. This study aimed to investigate the association between short working hours and perceived stress in a population-based sample from China.

Methods

This cross-sectional study included 4368 participants aged 18-65 years from the China Health and Nutrition Surveys (CHNS) 2015. Working hours were categorized into <35, 35-40, 41-54, and ≥55 h/week. Perceived stress was assessed using the Perceived Stress Scale-14 (PSS-14).

Results

Of the 4368 participants, 817 (18.7 %) reported short working hours (<35 h/week) and 1817 (41.6 %) reported perceived stress. Short working hours were associated with higher perceived stress compared to standard working hours (35-40 h/week) (Adjusted odds ratios (AOR) = 1.25, 95 % confidential intervals (CI): 1.04-1.51). Stratified analysis showed that short working hours were significantly associated with more perceived stress in subjects aged 36-50 years (AOR = 1.43, 95 % CI: 1.16-1.70), while long working hours (≥55 h/week) were significantly related to less perceived stress among low-income subjects (AOR = 0.56, 95 % CI: 0.33-0.94). Reduced income partially mediated the effects of short working hours on perceived stress (indirect effects = -0.002, 95 % CI: -0.007∼-0.001).

Conclusion

Reduced working hours may be associated with increased risk of perceived stress in China, particularly among people aged 36-50 years and those with low income. Reduced income may be a possible reason for the increased perceived stress caused by short working hours. Future longitudinal studies are needed to examine these relationships and to explore mechanisms.

Unemployment and underemployment are causes of suicide

Epidemiological studies indicate that labor underutilization and suicide are associated, yet it remains unclear whether this association is causal. We applied convergent cross mapping to test for causal effects of unemployment and underemployment on suicidal behavior, using monthly data on labor underutilization and suicide rates in Australia for the period 2004-2016. Our analyses provide evidence that rates of unemployment and underemployment were significant drivers of suicide mortality in Australia over the 13-year study period. Predictive modeling indicates that 9.5% of the ~32,000 suicides reported between 2004 and 2016 resulted directly from labor underutilization, including 1575 suicides attributable to unemployment and 1496 suicides attributable to underemployment. We conclude that economic policies prioritizing full employment should be considered integral to any comprehensive national suicide prevention strategy.

Working hours and the onset of suicidal ideation and depressive symptoms: A 10-year nationwide longitudinal study in South Korea (2012-2022)

Long working hours are associated with adverse health outcomes. We investigated the association between working hours and suicidal ideation and depressive symptoms. We analyzed a nationally representative sample of 11,116 Korean workers, comprising 64,661 observations from 2012 to 2022, to investigate how working hours were associated with mental health problems. To account for repeated measurements in each participant, we employed a generalized estimating equation to estimate risk ratios (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Of the total observations, 13.1% reported working ≥55 h/week. The RR (95% CI) of the association between long working hours and onset of suicidal ideation in the subsequent year was 1.20 (0.95-1.53) for 41-48 h, 1.35 (1.02-1.78) for 49-54 h, and 1.56 (1.23-1.98) for ≥55 h/week, compared to 35-40 h/week. The RR (95% CI) of the association between long working hours and onset of depressive symptoms in the subsequent year was 1.19 (1.07-1.34) for 41-48 h, 1.11 (0.97-1.28) for 49-54 h, and 1.24 (1.10-1.40) for ≥55 h per week, compared to 35-40 h/week. Those working fewer than 35 h/week also had an increased risk of suicidal ideation and depressive symptoms. Policy interventions are needed to reduce excess working hours and protect workers' mental health.

The Work Interevention Network (WIN): Foundations of a Holistic Vocational Intervention

The aim of the current study was to examine whether the key constructs targeted in the Work Intervention Network (WIN) intervention uniquely predicted well-being outcomes and mediated relations between un/underemployment and these outcomes. Using data from a sample of 462 adults in the U.S., we positioned employment status as a predictor of life satisfaction, well-being, and psychological distress. We also tested four mediators of these relations that operationalized targets in the WIN intervention – career engagement, social support, self-care, and self-blame. Employment status indirectly predicted life satisfaction, life meaning, and psychological distress via self-care and self-blame. Career engagement mediated the relation between employment status and psychological distress but in an unexpected direction. Social support was not directly predicted by employment status but predicted life satisfaction and life meaning. Results provided initial support for the WIN intervention and corroborate the contention that employment status is an important predictor of well-being.

A Moderated Mediation Analysis of New Work-Related Stressors, Psychological Distress, and Absenteeism in Health Care During a Pandemic: Is Recognition the Cure for Preventing Falling in Battle?

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to evaluate the effects of new work-related stressors on psychological distress and absenteeism and the role of recognition in these relationships.

METHODS

Moderated path analyses were carried out on a sample of 1128 health care workers.

RESULTS

Increased workload related to COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) ( β = 1.511, P ≤ 0.01) and fear of COVID-19 ( β = 0.844, P ≤ 0.01) were directly associated with a higher level of psychological distress and indirectly ( β = 2.306, P ≤ 0.01; and β = 1.289, P ≤ 0.05, respectively) associated with a higher level of absenteeism. Recognition ( β = 0.260, P ≤ 0.001) moderated the association between teleworking and psychological distress. Furthermore, this significant moderation effect had a significant impact on absenteeism ( β = 0.392, P ≤ 0.05). Regardless of the workplace (on site or teleworking), high recognition was beneficial for psychological distress. This effect seems more important when working on site.

CONCLUSIONS

The results propose that specific new work-related stressors should be addressed in the context of organizational change (eg, a pandemic).

Forecasting National and Regional Youth Unemployment in Spain Using Google Trends

In Spain, the youth unemployment rate is one of the highest in the European Union. With the pandemic caused by Covid-19, young people face high unemployment rates and are more vulnerable to a decrease in labour demand. This paper analyses and predicts youth unemployment using Google Trends indices in Spain for the period between the first quarter of 2004 and the second quarter of 2021, being the first work to carry out this study for Spain and the first to use the regional approach for the country. Vector autoregressive Bayesian models and vector error correction models have been used for national data, and Bayesian panel data models and fixed effects model for regional data. The results confirm that forecasts based on Google Trends data are more accurate in predicting the youth unemployment rate.

The subjective underemployment experience of post-9/11 veterans after transition to civilian work

BACKGROUND: Underemployment is a challenge for the civilian workforce and a particular risk for veterans as they transition from military service to civilian employment. Workers’ economic and demographic characteristics factor into underemployment risk. Veterans may be at greater risk due to specific economic and demographic factors, transitional factors (e.g., geographic relocation), and characteristics of their military service (e.g., military skill alignment with civilian jobs). OBJECTIVES: Describe underemployment experiences in employed post-9/11 veterans three years after their military transition to the civilian workforce. METHODS: The current study uses self-reported underemployment experience data from a longitudinal study of transitioning veterans. This study compares average perceptions of veteran underemployment experiences by specific groups (e.g., by race, gender, and paygrade) using analysis of variance and logistic regression. RESULTS: Veterans reported underemployment in their current jobs based on a perceived mismatch between the skills, education, and/or leadership experience they gained during military service. CONCLUSIONS: Veterans who were enlisted rank, identified as non-White, completed a bachelor’s degree, and indicated PTSD symptoms reported higher pervasive underemployment. Intervention implications for the results, such as employer and veteran employment supports, are discussed.

Retentissement psychologique de la crise sanitaire du COVID-19 sur les salariés

Objectif

Dans le contexte de crise sanitaire, le bouleversement des habitudes de travail, la crainte d’être contaminés sur leur lieu d’exercice ou la fermeture de certains établissements font présager un impact important sur la santé mentale des salariés. L’objectif de cette étude était de mesurer l’impact de la crise sanitaire sur la santé mentale des salariés suivis par un service de santé au travail et d’identifier les facteurs associés au stress et à la peur au travail.

Méthode

Un questionnaire anonyme et confidentiel était proposé aux salariés se rendant en visite médicale début octobre et novembre 2020.

Résultats

Un total de 1797 salariés ont participé. Près de 40 % présentaient des manifestations d’anxiété et 20 % des signes dépressifs (score HAD > = 8). Près d’un tiers des salariés déclarait être plus stressés au travail depuis le début de la crise. 21 % déclarait qu’il leur arrive d’avoir peur au travail depuis le début de la crise sanitaire. Le fait d’être plus stressé était associé au genre, à la taille de l’entreprise, à l’ancienneté, au secteur sanitaire et social, au fait de s’être senti affecté, au fait d’être à risque de forme grave de COVID-19, au sentiment d’être exposé au SARS-COV2 dans le cadre de son travail, au sentiment d’insécurité au travail et au fait d’avoir des difficultés dans l’application des mesures barrières. Le modèle multivarié pour expliquer la peur au travail présentait des similitudes.

Conclusion

Cette étude permet de confirmer et de quantifier l’importante augmentation du stress, du sentiment d’insécurité au travail, des tensions vécues vis-à-vis du public. Ces résultats amènent une réflexion approfondie sur le rôle essentiel d’un service de santé au travail face à une crise sanitaire pour accompagner au mieux nos adhérents.

Maternal depression and economic well-being: A quasi-experimental approach

Maternal depression is associated with adverse impacts on the health of women and their children. However, further evidence is needed on the extent to which maternal depression influences women's economic well-being and how unmeasured confounders affect estimates of this relationship. In this study, we aimed to measure the association between maternal depression and economic outcomes (income, employment, and material hardship) over a 15-year time horizon. We conducted longitudinal analyses using the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study, an urban birth cohort study in the United States. We assessed the potential contribution of time-invariant unmeasured confounders using a quasi-experimental approach and also investigated the role of persistent versus transient depressive symptoms on economic outcomes up to 15 years after childbirth. In models that adjusted for time-invariant unmeasured confounders, maternal depression was associated with not being employed (an adjusted risk difference of 3 percentage points (95% CI 0.01 to 0.05)) and experiencing any material hardship (an adjusted risk difference of 14 percentage points (95% CI 0.12 to 0.16)), as well as with reductions in the ratio of household income to poverty by 0.10 units (95% CI -0.16 to -0.04) and annual household income by $2114 (95% CI -$3379 to -$850). Impacts at year 15 were strongest for those who experienced persistent depression. Results of our study strengthen the case for viewing mental health support services as interventions that may also foster economic well-being, and highlight the importance of including economic impacts in assessments of the cost-effectiveness of mental health interventions.

Mental health and workplace factors: comparison of the Ghanaian and Australian mining industry

Background

Mining is a global industry and contributes significantly to international economies. This study seeks to compare the patterns of psychological distress, job demand-control, and associated characteristics between two countries (Australia/Ghana) to increase understanding of cross-cultural factors relevant to mental health in this industry.

Method

A cross-sectional study design was used. Eight coal mines in Australia and five gold mines in Ghana. A total of 2622 mineworkers participated in this study. Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10), Job Content Questionnaire (JCQ), Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), the Berkman-Syme Social Network Index (SNI) and help-seeking questionnaire.

Results

Ghanaian mineworkers reported increased psychological distress compared to Australian mineworkers; Job demands outweighed control among Ghanaian mineworkers but was associated with lower risk of psychological distress compared to Australian mineworkers; Ghanaian mineworkers were significantly less likely to drink alcohol at risky levels but this was associated with higher psychological distress; Increased social network was associated with decreased psychological distress for both countries.

Conclusions

These findings identify cultural and geographical differences in the socio-demographics, workplace factors, psychological distress, and alcohol use in both countries. Cross-cultural occupational workplace factors and mental health issues are highlighted. Potential workplace interventions applicable in comparable settings are recommended.

Education Level, Underemployment, and Health

Under the dual background of underemployment and health inequality, this study empirically analyzes the impact of education level on underemployed workers' health based on data from the 2016 China Labor-force Dynamics Survey. The results show that underemployment is significantly related to the decline of self-rated health, increased depressive tendencies, and the prevalence of illness over a certain period. The results indicate that underemployment can significantly reduce the health level of workers in both low and high education level groups. However, underemployment appears to have no significant impact on workers' health in the middle education level group. This result holds even if the measurement method of the indicators is adjusted and endogeneity is considered; this indicates that the research conclusions are robust. Moreover, this kind of health inequality mainly comes from the economic and leisure effects of underemployment for workers with different educational levels. Although underemployment significantly reduces the economic level of workers in each education level group, it brings a positive leisure effect to workers with a middle education level and a negative leisure effect to workers with a low education level. This study provides empirical support for increasing labor protection mechanisms for underemployed people and reducing the health inequality caused by differences in education level.

Financial Hardship, Hope, and Life Satisfaction Among Un/Underemployed Individuals With Psychiatric Diagnoses: A Mediation Analysis

BACKGROUND

Individuals with psychiatric diagnoses who are unemployed or underemployed are likely to disproportionately experience financial hardship and, in turn, lower life satisfaction (LS). Understanding the mechanisms though which financial hardship affects LS is essential to inform effective economic empowerment interventions for this population.

AIM

To examine if subjective financial hardship (SFH) mediates the relationship between objective financial hardship (OFH) and LS, and whether hope, and its agency and pathways components, further mediate the effect of SFH on LS among individuals with psychiatric diagnoses seeking employment.

METHODS

We conducted structured interviews with participants (N = 215) of two peer-run employment programs using indicators of OFH and SFH and standardized scales for hope (overall hope, hope agency, and hope pathways) and LS. Three structural equation models were employed to test measurement models for OFH and SFH, and mediational relationships. Covariates included gender, age, psychiatric diagnosis, race/ethnicity, education, income, employment status, SSI/SSDI receipt, and site.

RESULTS

Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) for items measuring OFH and SFH supported two separate hypothesized factors. OFH had a strong and significant total effect on SFH [standardized beta (B) = 0.68] and LS (B = 0.49), and a weak-to-moderate effect on hope (B = -0.31). SFH alone mediated up to 94% of the effect of OFH on LS (indirect effect B = -0.46, p < 0.01). The effect of SFH on LS through hope was small (indirect effect B = -0.09, p < 0.05), primarily through hope agency (indirect effect B = -0.13, p < 0.01) and not hope pathways. Black and Hispanic ethno-racial identification seemed to buffer the effect of financial hardship on hope and LS. Individuals identifying as Black reported significantly higher overall hope (B = 0.41-0.47) and higher LS (B = 0.29-0.46), net of the effect of OFH and SFH.

CONCLUSION

SFH is a strong mediator of the relationship between OFH and LS in our study of unemployed and underemployed individuals with psychiatric diagnoses. Hope, and particularly its agency component, further mediate a modest but significant proportion of the association between SFH and LS. Economic empowerment interventions for this population should address objective and subjective financial stressors, foster a sense of agency, and consider the diverse effects of financial hardship across ethno-racial groups.

Estimating influences of unemployment and underemployment on mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic: who suffers the most?

OBJECTIVES

The aim of the study was to evaluate whether unemployment and underemployment are associated with mental distress and whether employment insecurity and its mental health consequences are disproportionately concentrated among specific social groups in the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic.

STUDY DESIGN

This is a population-based longitudinal study.

METHODS

Data came from the Understanding America Study, a population-based panel in the United States. Between April and May 2020, 3548 adults who were not out of the labor force were surveyed. Analyses using targeted maximum likelihood estimation examined the association of employment insecurity with depression, assessed using the 2-item Patient Health Questionnaire, and anxiety, measured with the 2-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale. Stratified models were evaluated to examine whether employment insecurity and its mental health consequences are disproportionately concentrated among specific social groups.

RESULTS

Being unemployed or underemployed was associated with increased odds of having depression (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.66, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.36-2.02) and anxiety (AOR = 1.50, 95% CI = 1.26, 1.79), relative to having a full-time job. Employment insecurity was disproportionately concentrated among Hispanics (54.3%), Blacks (60.6%), women (55.9%), young adults (aged 18-29 years; 57.0%), and those without a college degree (62.7%). Furthermore, Hispanic workers, subsequent to employment insecurity, experienced worse effects on depression (AOR = 2.08, 95% CI = 1.28, 3.40) and anxiety (AOR = 1.95, 95% CI = 1.24, 3.09). Those who completed high school or less reported worse depression subsequent to employment insecurity (AOR = 2.44, 95% CI = 1.55, 3.85).

CONCLUSIONS

Both unemployment and underemployment threaten mental health during the pandemic, and the mental health repercussions are not felt equally across the population. Employment insecurity during the pandemic should be considered an important public health concern that may exacerbate pre-existing mental health disparities during and after the pandemic.

Part-time work and health in the United States: The role of state policies

Part-time work is a common work arrangement in the United States that can be precarious, insecure, and lacking opportunities for advancement. In turn, part-time work, especially involuntary part-time work, tends to be associated with worse health outcomes. Although prior research documents heterogeneity in the health consequences of precarious work across countries, we do not know whether state-level institutional contexts shape the association between part-time work and self-rated health in the United States. Using data from the Current Population Survey (2009-2019; n = 813,077), the present study examined whether linkages between part-time work and self-rated health are moderated by state-level social policies and contexts. At the population level, we document differences in the prevalence of fair/poor health among part-time workers across states. For instance, 21% of involuntary part-time workers reported fair/poor health in West Virginia compared to 7% of involuntary part-time workers in Massachusetts. Findings also provide evidence that voluntary (β =.51) and involuntary (β=.57) part-time work is associated with greater odds of fair/poor health among individuals. Moreover, the association between voluntary part-time work and self-rated health is weaker for individuals living in states with higher amounts for maximum unemployment insurance, higher minimum wage, and lower income inequality. State-level policies did not moderate the association between involuntary part-time work and health. The present study points to the need to mitigate the health consequences of part-time work with social policies that enhance the health of workers.

Characterization of young graduates perceiving underemployement: Assessment of well-being and discomfort associated with this perception

Previous research has shown that subjective underemployment is inversely associated to job satisfaction, psychological well-being and health. To our knowledge, the current is the first study that explores subjective underemployment in undergraduates in Colombia. One hundred and forty-two workers participated in a correlational, and comparative study. Results replicated previous findings: as subjective underemployment perception increased, job satisfaction and general life satisfaction decreased. Significant differences were found in the indicators of job satisfaction and general life satisfaction among those who perceive underemployment and those who do not. Finally, the potential role of subjective underemployment on employees’ health is discussed.

Differences in mental health and health-related quality of life between the Israeli and Italian population during a COVID-19 quarantine

PURPOSE

Severe restrictions related to COVID-19 were implemented almost simultaneously in Italy and Israel in early March 2020, although the epidemic situation in both countries was significantly different. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine how and to what extent the severe restrictions affected the mental health and health-related quality of life of non-infected people, in a comparison between Israel and Italy.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted during the first week of May 2020 among 510 Israeli and 505 Italian participants. Anxiety and depression levels were measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire-4 (PHQ-4), and the short form-8 health survey (SF-8) questionnaire measured health-related quality of life. Linear hierarchic regression forced steps analysis was performed to measure the unique contribution of each variable to predicting health-related quality of life.

RESULTS

After adjusting for socioeconomic variables, the results showed a significantly higher anxiety level and lower health-related quality of life in the Italian participants. The anxiety and depression variables predicted lower health-related quality of life. Physical activity was found to be a protective factor.

CONCLUSION

The results suggest that early monitoring of anxiety and depression in situations such as quarantine may detect the risk for decline in health-related quality of life. Establishment of professional interventions is needed in order to prevent the negative health consequences of the pandemic-related policy.

Stress and Psychological Distress in Emerging Adulthood: A Gender Analysis

Emerging adulthood is a critical period of life that entails many life transitions in living arrangements, relationships, education and employment, which can generate stress and psychological distress in the emerging adult. The aim of the present study was to assess the relevance of stress, coping styles, self-esteem and perceived social support in the distress of emerging adult women and men. The sample consists of 4816 people (50% females) from the Spanish general population, ranging in age from 18 to 29 years old. All participants were assessed through questionnaires and scales that assess psychological distress, stress, coping styles, self-esteem and social support. Women scored higher than men in psychological distress, chronic stress, minor daily hassles, emotional coping style and social support, whereas men scored higher than women in rational and detachment coping styles and in self-esteem. Psychological distress was significantly predicted in women and men by high emotional coping style, lower self-esteem, high number of life events, and less social support. Another statistically significant predictor in men was less detachment coping style, whereas in women it was high chronic stress. The results of this research are relevant to healthcare professionals interested in improving the mental health of the emerging adult.

The negative impact of long working hours on mental health in young Korean workers

Long working hours are known to have a negative effect on health. However, there is no clear evidence for a direct link between mental health and long working hours in the young adult populations. Therefore, we aimed to determine whether long working hours are associated with mental health in young adult workers. Data were collected from a 2012 follow-up survey of the Youth Panel 2007. A total of 3,332 young adult employees (aged 20 to 35) were enrolled in the study. We analyzed stress, depression, and suicidal thoughts by multivariate logistic regression analysis based on working hours (41 to 50, 51 to 60 and over 60 hours, compared to 31 to 40 hours per week), which was adjusted for sex, age, marriage status, region, and educational level. From the 3,332 young adult employees, about 60% of the workers worked more than 40 hours and 17% of the workers worked more than 50 hours per week. In a Chi-square test, stress level, depression, and suicidal thoughts increased with increasing working hours (p-value <0.001, 0.007, and 0.018, respectively). The multivariate logistic regression model showed that, compared to the 31 to 40 hours per week group, the adjusted odds ratios of the 41 to 50, 51 to 60, and over 60 hours per week groups for stress were 1.46(1.23–1.74), 2.25(1.79–2.83) and 2.55(1.72–3.77), respectively. A similar trend was shown in depression [odds ratios: 2.08(1.23–3.53), 2.79(1.44–5.39) and 4.09(1.59–10.55), respectively] and suicidal ideation [odds ratios: 1.98(0.95–4.10), 3.48(1.48–8.19) and 5.30(1.61–17.42), respectively]. We concluded that long working hours were associated with stress, depression, and suicidal ideation in young employees, aged 20 to 35.